Metal-bending machine.



Patented July l7, I900.

J. T. SCOTT, C. G. HIGHTOWER &. F. E. NEITZEL.

METAL BENDING MACHINE.

2 Sheets Shset I.

(Application filed Jan. 9, 1900.) N 0 M 0 d e I W627i ass as m: mama PTR5 00.. momma, wunmcrrou, n. c.

No. 653,704. Patented m I7, 1900. J. T. SCOTT, c. s. HIGHTOWER & F. E. NEITZEL. METAL BENDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Jan. 9, 1900.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

JOHN T. SCOTT, CHARLES G. HIGHTOWER, AND FRANK E. NEITZEL, OF SAN FRANCISCO,

CALIFORNIA.

METAL-BENDING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 653,704, dated July 17, 19QO.

Application filed January 9, 1900. Serial No. 821. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that we,JOHNT.SCOTT,CHARLEs G. HIGHTOWER, and FRANK E. Nnrrznn, citizens of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metal-Bending Machines; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

The present invention relates to a machine for the bending of metal generally, although designed more especially for the bending of tubes to be used in connection with watertube boilers; and it consists in the arrangement of parts and details of construction, as will be hereinafter fully set forth in the drawings and described and pointed out in the specification.

The object of our invention is to provide a machine whereby the tubes, rods, or metal plates may be bent into irregular shapes, curves, or compound curves in such manner as to considerably increase the output over machines generally employed for such purpose, at the same time simplifying the work of bending and reducing the help ordinarily required to carry out the work of bending. Thus the output of finished material is not only materially increased, but the cost of bending considerably reduced, which isa featut-e where the material is to be used in connection with work to be performed within a specified time.

To comprehend the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein- Figure l is a top plan view of the bender, the normal position of the swinging arm being shown in dotted lines. Fig 2 is a detail view of the swinging arm in side elevation. Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View, in side elevation, of the swinging arm; and Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional bottom plan view taken on line m :0, Fig. 3.

In the drawings the letter A is used to indicate the bed-plate, having a center post B rigidly secured thereto. Upon this post works hub (J of the swinging slotted arm 0, which arm at its outer end carries the depending enlarged head 0. lVithin the slotted portion of the swinging arm is fitted the slide-block D, said block carrying the spindles E and G. The slide-block is held in place within the slotted arm 0 by anysuitable means. Spindle E is formed with an eccentric portion E, on which is fitted forming-roller F. This roller works against face of curved former F, bolted to the bed-plate, against which the bar, rod, plate, or tube being bent or shaped is pressed. It willbe understood that the former F is shaped to the form into which the bar,

, rod, plate, or tube is to be bent. To the lower end of spindle G is secured the roller H, which roller during the working of the machine contacts with the cam or back former I,-secured to the bed-p1ate, used for the production of compound curves. The formingroller F is held against the former F by means of the swinging arm K, said arm being pivoted to bolt I, which bolt holds adjustable 7o collar K in slotted arm 0. Arm K is held. against spindle G by pressure of spring K which spring is secured and coiled about pin (1, depending from arm K, and secured at its opposite end to Washer a of bolt I. The tension of this spring holds the swinging arm against spindle G and presses said spindle inward and holds the slide-block D against outward movement. As said slide-block carries spindle E, upon which forming-roller is mounted, the formingroller will be held pressed against the former. The slide-collar is given adjustment through the medium of the adjustable rod or keeper J, interposed between said collar and end wall of slotted arm.

To the bed-plate A at any suitable point within the described path of the swinging arm is attached the dog L, with which the pin a contactsduringthemovement ofthe said arm.

The lower end of the enlarged or dependo ing head 0 of the slotted arm 0 rests upon the upper face of rack M, attached to bedplate. This rack is in the form of an arc and is engaged by spur-gear M, secured to lower end of shaft M extending through an opening in the head 0. Upon this shaft above the head is loosely fitted the bevel-gear N, having a conical friction ring or hub N upwardly projecting therefrom. Said gearis held in place by the collar 19, secured upon :00

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the shaft within the conical friction ring or hub. This bevel-gear meshes with and is driven by pinion N attached to outer end of drive-shaft O, which shaft works in bearings O, bolted to the slotted arm 0.

To the shaft M is secured by feathers b the cone friction or clutch P, which engages the conical hub or ring 1 of gear N. The friction is raised or lowered by the nut P working upon the screw-threaded portion (1 of the shaft M Connection is made between the nut P and the friction or clutch P by means of the collar Q, secured to and depending front the said nut, which collar is held to the friction or clutch by the collar 61, secured to upper end of said friction or clutch. Being thus secured, it is obvious that as the nut is loosened or tightened upon the shaft. M the friction or clutch P will be raised or lowered upon the shaft, the vertical movement thereof being sufficient to place the same out of or in frictional engagement with the conical hub or ring of the gear N. The nut P is tightened or loosened by means of the bandles Q, secured to and pr jecting therefrom. Near the pivoted end of the slotted arm 0 is attached a dynamo or drive-motor Q the shaft Q of which is connected with gear R, secured to drive-shaft O by gear R. The motion of the motor is thus transmitted to driveshaft 0 and the operative parts connected thereto and carried by the swinging arm C.

In order to remove friction between the head of the swinging arm and rack M, the said head is connected thereto by the keeperrollsff, suspended in bracketfi attached to rear wall of the head. These rolls hold the head to the rack and at the same time relieve the machine of undue friction, which would result in case the head were permitted to bear directly upon the rack.

The hub C of the swinging arm carries the quadrant S, to which is attached chain, rope, or cord S. This chain, rope, or cord passes over sheave T, held in bracket T, extending through an opening in bed-plate, and to the end thereof is attached weight T During the outward stroke or swing of the arm 0 the chain, rope, or cord is wound upon the quadrant until the arm has made its full swing and become locked at the end of its stroke, as will be hereinafter explained. As the rope, chain, or cord winds upon the quadrant the weight T is raised. This Weight is sufficient, the moment the swinging arm is released, to return the arm to its normal position or starting-point X.

At the outer end of the swinging arm is carried a hinged catch 9, which upon the completion of the stroke of the swinging arm engages the spring-pressed slide-bolt 9, working through bracket U, located at the outer end of rack M. The moment the swinging arm has completed its stroke catch 9 moves into locked engagement'with the slide-bolt g, while at the same time nut P is raised or loosened by one of the handles Q striking against the bracket U. As the arm continues its movement for a short while after arm engages the bracket, the pressure thereon will turn the handle and unscrew the nut P. Inasmuch as the threads 01 are cut at a heavy pitch this turn or part throw of the handles is sufficient to unscrew the nut and raise or elevate the friction or clutch P through its described connections, so as to remove the same front frictional engagement with the conical hub N of gear N. Connection'between the drive mechanism and the shaft M being thus broken, rotation of the said shaft ceases.

From slide-bolt g extends the cord U, which passes over pulley h and terminates at a point within convenient reach of the operator. By simply pulling upon this cord the slide-bolt. is drawn inward, so as to release the catch g. The tnoment this catch is released the -weight T descends and returns swinging arm to its starting-point. As the slide-bolt. g is held outward by pressure of spring h, the motnent the operator releases cord U 'he slide-bolt is moved outward to be in position to be engaged by the catch g upon the next stroke of the swinging arm.

Spindles E and G are connected by braceplates G, which plates not only serve to hold spindles together at their lower end, but also to hold the forming-roller F in place.

The swing or outward movement of the arm K is limited by the stop orpin k, depending from adjustable block D. Consequently the movement of said arm ceases when placed in line with spindle G, Fig. 3.

To the upper end of shaft M is attached one end of tension-spring V, the opposite end of which is connected to nut P. The object of this spring is to hold the nut P against accidentally working downward during the return movement of the swinging arm in order to provide against the friction or clutch P engaging with conical hub of gear N.

1 and 2 indicate hydraulic cylinders attached to the bed-plate. Piston 3 of cylinder 1 carries form 4, while piston 5 of cylinder 2 carries yoke 6, to which forms 7 7 are secured. Form 4 registers with back form 8. It will be understood that the face of each form corresponds with the shape to be given to the pipe, tube, rod, or plate 10 inserted therebetween. Each fortn is removable. Hence they may be varied in accordance with the shape to be given to end of tube, rod, or plate to be acted upon by the hydraulic press. The back forms 8 9 are held in place by end blocks 11 12. To the forms 7 7' are adjustably connected the stops 13, which stops engage or contact with projections 14: of block 12 and by their adjustment limit the stroke of yoke 6, the pressure thereon being released by means of the dog 15, connected to plunger of cylinder 2 and center of yoke 6. Waterpress'ure is conveyed by pipe 16 to valvecoupling 17, the opening and closing of which is controlled by handle 18. Connection is made between the valved coupling and cylinders 1 2 by means of the supply-pipes 19 and 20 and by exhaust-pipes 21 22.

The operation of the hydraulic press will be readily understood without detail description thereof. If the machine is to be used for the bending of tubes or rods, the faces of the forms are grooved, and the former F is provided with groove 25 and forming-roller F with groove 26, within which the tube rests as bent into the required shape. By forming two grooves in each part the machine may be utilized to shape two tubes, pipes, or rods at the same time.

In operation the tube or article to be formed is inserted between the forms of the press, its end resting against block 27. The air is then admitted to the cylinders in order to close the forms and shape the tube therebetween as required. At the same time the operator turns handles in order to screw down nut P upon shaft M so as to place friction or clutch P into frictional engagement with conical hub N of gear N. Motion of driveshaft 0, driven by motor Q, is thus imparted to shaft M in order to drive spur M. This spur intermeshing with rack M travels thereupon and causes the arm 0 to swing outward. As this arm swings outward the formingroller F bears upon and forces the tube against the former F, so as to shape the same thereover, the curve of said former being that to be given the tube. The forming-rolleris held against outward movement. during the operation of bending by means of the lock-arm K. In case compound curve is to be given the tube, then within the path of the swinging arm in line with roll H is located the cam or back former I at proper place. If the curve to be given is an inwardly one, then the roller H as it rides upon the curved cam or back former forces the slide-block D, carrying the forming-roller, inward in order to force the forming-roller against the former. Should, however, the curve to be given the tube at such point be an outward one, the arm K is released by the pin a depending therefrom engaging or coming into contact with dog L, the pressure thereon being sutficient to overcome pressure of spring K and to swing the arm outward or away from spindle G, said spindle having been previously moved slightly inward in order to release the arm by roller H bearing upon cam or back former. When thus released, the slide-block D is per= mitted to move outward in order to adjust the forming-roller to the change in the bend to be given, said slide-block being held in proper place by the back former or cam against which the roller H bears. The shape of the back former or cam corresponds with any change made in the former F. Hence the slide-block is automatically moved upon the swinging arm in order to adjust the position of the forming-roller. By this means irregular curves may be given the tubes in one operation instead of making each change a distinct operation. As the swinging arm reaches the end of its stroke one of the handles Q strikes against the bracket U and imparts suflicient turn to nut P to raise same upon shaft M and remove friction or collar P from frictional engagement with conical huh I of gear N. Rotation of shaft M ceases and swinging arm remains stationary, although drive-shaft O continues its working. As the swinging arm comes to rest, catch g engages slidebolt g and holds the swinging arm locked against return stroke, in which position it remains until released by the operator pulling upon cord U in order to draw the slide-bolt g out of engagement with clutch g. l/Vhen thus released, the swinging arm is returned to its original position or starting by the descending or downward travel of weight T Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure protection in by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a bending-machine, the combination with the bed-plates of an arm swinging thereon, a former secured to the bed-plate, a forming-roller carried by the swinging arm, said roller coacting with the former, a curved rack attached to the bed-plate, of a drive-shaft working upon the swinging arm, a pinion carried by said shaft engaging a gear loosely mounted upon a shaft extending through the swinging arm, a spur-gear attached to the lower end of the vertical shaft and engaging the rack, of a friction secured to the said shaft, and of means for automatically placing the friction in or out of frictional engagement with the gear driven by the drive-shaft.

2. In a bending-machine, the combination with the swinging arm, of the drive-shaft working thereon, a forming-roller adjustably secured to the swinging arm, a former with which the said roller coacts during the operation of bending, a shaft extending vertically through the swinging arm, a gear attached to the lower end thereof, a rack with which said gear meshes, and of means by which the vertical shaft is placed in or out of operation,

with the drive-shaft.

3. In a bending-machine, the combination with the swinging arm, of aforming-rollercar ried thereby, of a former with which it coacts during the operation of bending, a device by which the forming-roller is held in locked position against outward movement and of mechanism for imparting travel to the swing ing arm.

4. In a bending'machine, the combination with the swinging arm, of a shaft extending vertically through the outer end thereof, a gear secured to the lower end thereof, a curved rack with which the gear engages, drive mechanism carried by the swinging arm, and of means by which the vertical shaft is placed in or out of locked engagement with the drive mechanism.

5. In a bending-machine, the combination with the bed-plate, of a swinging arm secured thereon, a forming-roller carried by the swinging arm, a. former with which -the formingroller coacts attached to the bed-plate, of devices for moving the forming-roller toward or from the former during the travel of the swinging arm, and of mechanism for throwing the swinging arm back and forth.

6. In a bending-machine, the combination with the bed-plate, of a former attached thereto, a swinging arm secured to the bed-plate, of means forim parting travel thereto, a forming-roller adjustably secured to the swinging arm, said roller coacting with the former, a swinging lock-arm for holding the roller against outward movement, and of devices for automatically releasing the lock-arm so as to permit of the forming-roller adjusting itself to irregularities of the former.

7. In a bending-machine, the combination with the swinging arm, of a shaft extending through the outer end thereof, a gear secured to the lower end thereof, a rack with which said gear engages, a gear loosely mounted upon said shaft above the swinging arm, drive mechanism mounted upon the swinging arm, a pinion carried thereby which interm eshes with the gearloosely mounted upon the vertical shaft, and of means by which said gear is placed in or out of locked engagement with the vertical shaft.

8. In a bending-machine, the combination with the swinging arm, of the drive-shaft thereon, the shaft M extending through the outer end portion of the swinging arm, a gear loosely working thereon and driven from the drive-shaft, a clutch or friction slidably secured upon the shaft and which frictionally engages the gear, and of means by which the friction is placed in and out of frictional engagement with the gear.

9. In a bending-machine, the combination with the swinging arm, of a forming-roller carried thereby, a former with which said roller coacts during the operation of bending, devices for holding the roller in position, the drive-shaft working upon the swinging arm, the shaft M extending through the outer portion of the swinging arm, a gear secured to the lower end ofthe said shaft, a rack with which the gear intermeshes, the gear loosely working upon the shaft above the swinging arm and driven by the drive-shaft, a. conical huh upwardly extending from the gear, a friction or clutch slidable upon the shaft, and of means by which the friction or clutch is placed in or out of frictional engagement with the driven gear.

- 10. In a bending-machine, the combination with the bed-plate, of a swinging arm secured thereto, devices for locking said arm at the end of its outward stroke, of means by which the swinging arm is automatically returned to its normal position upon being unlocked, of a forming-roller carried by the swinging arm, a former attached to the bed-plate and with which the forming-roller coacts, and of mechanism for imparting an outward swing or travel to the swinging arm.

11. In a bending-machine and in combination with the described bending mechanism, of the hydraulic press, of the formers carried by the piston thereof, and of adjustable stops for limiting the movement of the movable formers.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands.

JOHN T. SCOTT. CHARLES G. HIGHTOWER. FRANK E. NEITZEL. \Vitnesses:

JNO. O. H. FERGUSON, A. O. LEWIS. 

